Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dermatophytosis in domestic cats in India: causes and treatment
By Sheetal, Mathew Salomi et al.·Published in Acta tropica·2024·College of veterinary and Animal Sciences, India·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dermatophytosis in domestic cats: Identification, and treatment in an Indian context.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 82 domestic cats in India with skin lesions was examined for a fungal infection called dermatophytosis, which can affect both pets and humans. Out of these cats, 36 were found to have the fungus Microsporum canis, which is common in cats. The cats were treated with various methods, including a Lime Sulphur dip and oral itraconazole, with the combination of both showing the best results. The Lime Sulphur dip alone also worked quickly for topical treatment. This study highlights effective treatments for this skin infection in cats, which is important for both their health and public safety.
People also search for: cat skin infection treatment · Lime Sulphur dip for cats · Microsporum canis in cats
Abstract
The surge in domestic cat adoption across India, particularly the rising preference for high-pedigree cats, coupled with environmental factors, has resulted in increased incidence of dermatophytosis among feline companions. Despite this growing concern, there is a noticeable scarcity of studies in India delving into the etiological factors contributing to dermatophytosis in cats. This disease is a threat to animal health and carries public health significance, given that cats are recognized reservoir hosts for Microsporum canis, a common dermatophyte affecting humans and animals. This study endeavours to identify the dermatophytes affecting cats and establish a standardized therapeutic regimen while accounting for the local stigma surrounding the regular bathing of cats. The study involved the examination of 82 cats presenting dermatological lesions, when subjected to cultural examination in dermatophyte test medium revealed 36 afflicted with dermatophytes. Isolates were presumptively identified by staining using lactophenol cotton blue, Chicago sky blue 6B, and Calcofluor white stains. Molecular-level identification of the isolates was confirmed through PCR-RFLP, amplifying the Internal Transcribed Spacer Sequence of 16 s rDNA, followed by restriction digestion using the Mva1 enzyme. Among the thirty-six isolates, 29 were identified as M. canis, while the remaining 7 were M. gypseum. The cases were categorized into five groups and treated with Lime Sulphur dip, 4 % chlorhexidine shampoo, a shampoo containing 2 % miconazole and 4 % chlorhexidine, oral itraconazole alone, and a combination of oral itraconazole with lime-Sulphur dip. Statistical analysis revealed that the response was notably swifter with lime Sulphur dip when considering only topical therapy. Moreover, the mycological cure was most expeditious when combining Lime Sulphur dip with oral itraconazole. These findings underscore the pivotal role of topical biocides in feline dermatophytosis treatment, potentially reducing the reliance on specific antifungals and thereby contributing to the mitigation of antimicrobial resistance emergence.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38723739/